Our hair can predict our risk of heart attack. In a study published in the journal Stress, Canadian researchers discovered when the hormone cortisol is released into the bloodstream during stress, it seeps into hair follicles. When the researchers took hair samples from 120 men - 1.2 inches of hair closest to the scalp - approximately 3 months growth - the cortisol levels were significantly higher in the men who had had heart attacks. Hair thus could provide doctors with a non-invasive test of heart attack risk. It seems when someone "gets in your hair", cortisol gets there too.
Our diet can predict our risk of early death. A Harvard University study tracked the eating habits and health of 45,000 men and 85,000 women for more than 20 years. The researchers found those who had a diet low in carbohydrates and high in animal protein were 23% more likely to die - particularly from cancer - during the study. However, the men and women who had a low-carb diet that included lots of plant foods were 20% less likely to have an early death. It seems a healthy diet requires a "meating" of the minds.
Yes, a healthy diet requires fruits and vegetables. In 2000 the government's goal was to get 75% of Americans to eat 2 servings of fruit daily and 50% to eat 3 servings of vegetables. In 2009 32.5% of adults ate the recommended amount of fruit and 26.3% ate the recommended amount of vegetables. According to a 2004 study, eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily is linked to a 28% lower risk of heart disease and stroke compared to people eating fewer than 1.5 servings. In a perfect world 2 servings of fruit loops and 3 servings of French fries would be healthy.
Unfortunately, it's not a perfect world. Many Americans regain lost weight. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 104 overweight or obese adults ate a low-calorie diet for 8 weeks, losing about 5% of their body weight. When they were followed up 6 months later, 55 participants had maintained their weight loss and 49 had regained at least 10% of lost weight. Those with higher levels of leptin (the stop eating hormone) and lower levels of ghrelin (the eat hormone) were likelier to regain. Researchers hypothesize some people are resistant to these hormones and need special diets that are "resistance fighters".
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